Bureaucracy and Pro-poor Change

This paper takes a political economy perspective in analysing the nature and causes on the decline in bureaucratic conduct. Section 1 lays out the details of this structure. Based on a logical model which places the bureaucracy within the larger context of the objective function of the state, the nature of the political process, the degree of centralisation and fragmentation of the bureaucratic structure and processes for monitoring and accountability of the bureaucracy, this model provides the basis for subsequent analysis. Section 2 provides a historical overview with regard to changes in the bureaucratic and political structure and the impact it had on the above mentioned balance between bureaucratic conduct and political compulsions. Section 3 then analyses the consequences on service delivery that this systematic weakening of the bureaucratic structure has had. Section 4 then critically assesses some of the recent attempts at bureaucratic reform in the light of the framework developed in Section 1. The conclusion then summarises the paper and draws implications for pro-poor change of the structure and conduct of the bureaucratic structure in PakistanPoverty, Poor, Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy and Pro-poor Change

Based on the premise that a functioning state is a necessary pre-requisite for pro-poor change, it is critical to investigate the role of the bureaucracy as a key catalyst in this process. Weber (1968) ascribes bureaucracies to be anchors of the modern nation state as their conduct is based on rational-legal norms. Bureaucracies, according to this ideal type, temper the populist urges of politicians who wish to execute policy unencumbered by rules and procedures. State success or failure in many cases, therefore, can be gauged by the degree to which this tensionbetween the rules based bureaucratic form of administration and populist politicsis resolved. Prognosis on pro-poor change in the light of the present and anticipated balance between bureaucratic procedures and political compulsions is thus an important area of inquiry. There is consensus that the disconnect between policy formulation and execution in Pakistan has widened considerably in the last three decades or so. And this is in spite of the fact of the generally acclaimed view that Pakistan inherited a well functioning and competent bureaucracy from the British Raj [Braibanti (1966)]. While part of the blame for this disconnect can be ascribed to incoherence in policy formulation on the part of the political leadershipboth civil and militarybut bureaucratic malfeasance, incompetence and corruption have been critical factors in the level of governance declining over time. This paper takes a political economy perspective in analysing the nature and causes on the decline in bureaucratic conduct. Section 1 lays out the details of this structure. Based on a logical model which places the bureaucracy within the larger context of the objective function of the state, the nature of the political process, the degree of centralisation and fragmentation of the bureaucratic structure and processes for monitoring and accountability of the bureaucracy, this model provides the basis for subsequent analysis. Section 2 provides a historical overview with regard to changes in the bureaucratic and political structure and the impact it had on the above mentioned balance between bureaucratic conduct and political compulsions. Section 3 then analyses the consequences on service delivery that this systematic weakening of the bureaucratic structure has had. Section 4 then critically assesses some of the recent attempts at bureaucratic reform in the light of the framework developed in Section 1. The conclusion then summarises the paper and draws implications for pro-poor change of the structure and conduct of the bureaucratic structure in Pakistan.bureaucracy, pro-poor change, consequences on service

Optimization of vehicle suspensions subjected to random excitation

This study provides basic information on the analysis and optimization of vehicle suspension systems with a damped absorber attached to the sprung mass and the un sprung mass. This study is also concerned with comparing these systems with a optimized conventional system. A two degree of freedom linear model subjected to guideway irregularity, described as a hyperbolic displacement spectral density, random excitation is chosen for studying the system. Dimensionless space and design parameters are selected to allow for adequate generality. The objective function incorporates the tire-terrain normal force, as an indication of the vehicle controllability, constrained by the sprung mass acceleration as a comfort criteria. Optimum parameter synthesis of damped absorber suspension with the damped absorber attached to sprung and unsprung mass, as well as a conventional suspension system has been obtained. Performance characteristics for the optimum damped absorber suspension and the conventional suspension are presented. The comparison among the optimised conventional, and the optimized damped absorber suspension systems show that the optimum damped absorber suspension with the absorber attached to the unsprung mass, based on the objective function chosen, is the best

Counting the uncounted: the economic contributions of women in rural Sindh

Women’s contribution to agriculture across South Asia is often overlooked, yet the evidence suggests that they play a central role, particularly in livestock management. Here Sultana Ali and Abdur Rehman Cheema draw on their fieldwork to highlight the specific nature of women’s agricultural work in rural Sindh, and the benefits of making this more visible and properly remunerated

Beyond Tayyaba: tackling rural poverty to reduce child labour

Following headlines about the abuse of a domestic worker in a judge’s house in December 2016, Abdur Rehman Cheema and Sultana Ali analyse the wider problem of child labour in Pakistan. Drawing on their research in rural Sindh, they write that poverty is the primary reason that parents keep their children away from school, and outline the community-driven approaches that are being used to tackle the underlying cause

Stolen childhoods: the dilemma of child marriage in rural Sindh

Despite legislation to combat the practice at both national and provincial levels, child marriage is still common in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas. Nadir Ali Shah and Abdur Rehman Cheema draw on fieldwork conducted in rural Sindh to highlight the ongoing problem, and write that if child marriage is to be eliminated in line with the Sustainable Development Goals social guidance and other forms of support will be needed alongside proper implementation of the law

Non‐Bone Effects of Vitamin D in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

Vitamin D, also known as “sunshine vitamin”, has long been established as an essential component for the maintenance of adequate bone health. Large number of studies are available which demonstrate the various biochemical pathways of vitamin D in bone physiology and its important role in musculoskeletal health. In last five decades, data regarding the non‐bone effects of vitamin D have started to emerge, and now many important non‐bone physiological processes are explained by the biochemical pathways and functions of vitamin D. However, majority of the data regarding extra‐skeletal effects of vitamin D are available regarding adult population. In this chapter, we try to focus on the role of vitamin D in aging and various diseases which are frequently seen in children, adolescents, and young adults such as cancer, type 1 diabetes mellitus, allergies, asthma, and various autoimmune diseases

Reforming local government in Pakistan

One year into the term of the new Pakistani government and promises to hold local government elections across the country have not fully materialised. Polling took place in Baluchistan in December 2013 but local elections scheduled to take place in Sindh and Punjab appear to have been deferred indefinitely. In this context, Ali Cheema, Adnan Khan and Roger Myerson analyse local democracy in Pakistan and recommend ways in which to strengthen the system

Are Cryptos Safe-Haven Assets during COVID-19? Evidence from Wavelet Coherence Analysis

We use wavelet coherence analysis on global COVID-19 fear index, cryptocurrency market specific implied volatility index (VCRIX) and cryptocurrency returns to investigate safe-haven properties of cryptocurrencies during COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of our paper show that a non-financial market-based proxy of market stress that represents fear of households and retail investors reveals cryptocurrencies as safe-haven assets; however, a financial market-based proxy of the market turbulence exposes that cryptocurrencies behave like traditional assets during the times of COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings support that long-term investors can invest in the cryptocurrency market to hedge the risks during the COVID-19 pandemic